Town skipper Jim Magilton looks increasingly doubtful for Saturday's league opener with Gillingham at Portman Road. Magilton, who didn't miss a league game last season, picked up a thigh injury in the friendly against Newcastle which a scan has shown to be a slight tear.

Manager Joe Royle says the Blues will give him time to recover but will not risk one of their most influential players.

New signing Jason De Vos has also received treatment in recent days following a knock acquired in the Osasuna game. Royle is hopeful that a day's further rest will mean he is OK to make his Town debut.

Royle is hopeful that De Vos and fellow new signing Kevin Horlock can help reduce the number of goals the Blues concede. However, Royle admits that he doesn't expect Town suddenly to turn in single-goal victories week after week: "You can't go from 4-3 to 1-0 overnight. It can't be done."

The Town manager was frustrated with his side's problems at the back and is aiming to improve on last season's disappointing home record: "We would have finished higher last season if we had drawn games at home that we lost. The players know the importance of doing well at home. We want to make it Fortress Portman Road again."

The Blues are likely to line-up in the 4-3-3 which has served them so well during the later pre-season matches. Drissa Diallo will probably be at right-back unless De Vos fails to make it, in which case he looks favourite to take over at the centre of defence alongside Richard Naylor, Fabian Wilnis returning to his right-back role.

The Blues' midfield three will include Jim Magilton if fit with Tommy Miller coming in alongside Kevin Horlock and Ian Westlake if the skipper fails to make it.

Up front, Joe Royle will probably choose between Shefki Kuqi and Pablo Couñago for the central role, Darren Bent and Dean Bowditch probably playing on the right and left respectively.

Gillingham's main selection issue is who to play up front. Former Canary Iwan Roberts and ex-Sunderland and Rotherham man Darren Byfield joined the club's ranks over the summer.

Chairman Paul Scally says he's glad he isn't in manager Andy Hessenthaler's shoes: "I'm pleased to say we've got seven top-class strikers now and the manager's got some real tough decisions to make. They are all fit, they are all keen, and they are all raring to go. I'm glad I'm not a manager."

The Gills are expected to add an eighth frontman to their squad later today when 17-year-old former Forest man Matt Bodkin signs a contract after impressing in a trial.

Pre-season injury victims Nicky Southall, Tommy Johnson and Alan Pouton all returned to action in a 3-0 win against Thamesmead on Tuesday.

Saturday's referee is André Marriner from Birmingham. Last season, his first as a league official, he showed 70 yellow cards and eight red in 27 games.

Provisional squad: Barron, Bent, Bowditch, Couñago, Davis, De Vos, Diallo, Kuqi, Horlock, Miller, Mitchell, Murray, Naylor, Price, Richards, Westlake, Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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